Cellulose tube



Mai-ch 24, 1936.

o. w. DIEFFENBYACH CELLULOSE TUBE Filed Jan. 24, 1934 amnion I Patented Mar. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CELLULOSE TUBE out w. Dieilenbach, Baltimore, Md. Application January 24, 1934, Serial No. 708,064

7 Claims.

'I'he'invention relates to the tubes particularly adapted for use in partaking of light beverages and other drinks and commonly known as drinking straws, though the tubes of the invention are capable of more general use.

feature relates to the tube as an article of manufacture. v The tubes used as drinking straws at the present time include natural hollow straws and tubes 10 made of paper and consisting of a helically wound strip treated with paraflin or some equivalentwaterproofing agent.

The natural straws have been found objectionable on account of their small capacity and also on account of the presence of soluble materials which impart an undesired flavor to the beverage. They have been largely displaced by paper tubes which can be produced in large quantities at a less expense and can also be 30 made of any desired diameter, but the paper tubes have a considerable heat capacity and conductivity so that they change the temperature of the beverage and are to a considerable degree sensitive to which the beverages are composed and if left in the liquid, they become limp and objectionable on account of their unpleasing appearance. If permitted to remain moist for any considerable period, they collapse completely so that they can not be used.

A further objection is that paper is absorbent and not moistureprcol, so that it must be coated to make it available for this purpose. The parafiln with which it is treated is subject to 36 chemical combination with the carbonic acid contained in the carbonated beverages which form a large proportion of the drinks dispensed in this way so that a considerable quantity of carbonic acid gas is released in the tube by the 40 action-of the paraflln. Thus, the tube when in use contains not its full. volume of liquid but a mixture of liquid and gas which lacks the flavor of the beverage when the gas is retained in the liquid and released in the stomach and has a 45 harmful tendency due to absorption of the gas in the lungs.

An important object of the present invention is to overcome these dimculties by the produc- .tion of a non-absorbent tube which is of in- 50 creased resistive qualities so that it is not attacked by the liquid, thus avoiding the premature discharge of carbonic acid.

The invention also has as an object the pro-' vision-of a transparent tube of resilient material as cheap enough to be available as a drinking straw,

The inventive the action of the various liquids of p in order to be sufficiently stifi to stand BEISSUED of pleasing appearance and having a highly pole ished surface, thus reducing the tendency to collect dust and germs.

it is also of interest that the tube is formed of a material which is relatively thin and of low 5 heat capacity and conductivity and inherentlymoistureproof and non-absorbent, resisting for an indefinite period not only the action of water but' all of the various liquids and gases contained in the drinks to be dispensed. 10

The tube of the invention has been made oi. regeneratedcellulose or of cellulose esters produced in sheet form, which material is cut into strips and wound 'helically on a mandrel, the successive turns of the helix being overlapped 15 and joined as to their overlapped edges byh'eating the tube after it has been wound, the material used in the production of applicant's straw in the preferred form being as already pointed out, self adhesive when heated, regenerated o cellulose or regenerated cellulose hydrate being most easily available for treatment in this way.

It is further of interest that while the drinking straws or tubes can be made of a single layer of sheet cellulose material, this term being 25 used to identify the cellulose compounds or derivatives adapted for use in this way, the spiral ribs or thickened portions due to the overlapping of the successive turns of the helix being utilized as a reinforce to strengthen the tube, 30 the tubes thus manufactured-of a single layer up in use, must be of such thickness as to require the use of sheet cellulose material of a thickness which would make the tube relatively expensive as compared to the paper tubes now in use. However, the invention contemplates the manufacture of a single layer, as well as of any other number of layers.

With this fact-in view, applicants preferred 40 form of tube is composedof two or more thicknesses. This tube on account of the multiple layers has an increased stiffness as compared to the tubes composed of a single layer of this material. By means of the multiple layers of the present invention a tube is produced in accordance with the invention, containing less material and at the same time being more rigid than the single thickness tube. This tube can be produced on a satisfactory expense basis, it costs little more than the paper tubes now in use and is at the same time a much more pleasing and satisfactory product.

Various details and features of the produ'ct, method and the machine by which the manu- 7 not contemplated by this applicant.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation on an enlarged scale of a straw made in accordance with the invention in the preferred form.

Figure 2 is a section on a still further enlarged scale, the same being taken on the line 4,,

4 in Figure 1. i

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the arrangement of the strips as fed to the mandrel in' the production of the tube or straw as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation corresponding to Figure 1, showing a modified form of drinking straw or tube on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a section on a still larger scale taken on the line I, 1 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding to Figure 3 showing the arrangement of the strips as fed to the mandrel in the production of the tube or straw shown in Figure "4.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of, which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the different figures, the invention provides a drinking tube of regenerated cellulose or cellophane esters or other equivalent transparent cellulose material or derivative, the terms cellulose material and cellulose derivative being used interchangeably as identifying cellulose compounds adapted to be made into these homogeneous, non-fibrous, transparent, r'noistureproof, non-absorbent sheets which are flexible, hard and resilient, and to distinguish these materials which are referred to loosely by the public as cellophane, from paper, the use of which in the manufacture of drinking straws or tubes is The material used in the manufacture of the tubes cle scribed, to the best advantage should be self adhesive when heated but the use of adhesives with these materials is knownto those familiar with transparent wrappings of these cellulose derivaives.

While the tube may be made of a single strip of material, the use of a plurality of strips overlying each other is believed to have important advantages not only in providing a tube of sufllcient stiffness with a minimum of material, but

also in making available for this purpose a grade of thin transparent sheet cellulose esters which is in general use for wrapping and similar purposes.

Having particular reference to the drawing, the illustration, Figures 1 and 2, comprises a tube I shows on a magnified scale, the stock article used as a drinking straw being approximately in diameter. This tube is shown as made of two strips of transparent cellulose, the inner strip being indicated by reference character 2 and the outer strip by reference character 3. These strips are together wound about the axis of the tube in the form of a helix, the successive turns of the helix being overlapped between the lines 4, 4'. This overlapping-arrangement of the successive turns of the helix, is a feature of the preferred practice of the invention, althoughother methods of manufacture are easily conoelvable in the light of this disclosure and as multiple strips as fed to contemplated within the broader scope of the invention.

In the finished tube shown in Figure 1, the strip 3 overlies the strip 2 and is offset so that the strip 3 overlaps the strip 2 at one side at 3' and the strip 2 overlaps or extends beyond the strip 3 .at the'opposite side at 2'.- By the overlapping of the successive turns of the helix in the manner shown in Figure 2 and indicated in Figure 1, the joint 5 between the successive turns of the helix is formed at the center, of four thicknesses of the material and above and below the center, of three thicknesses incident to the overlap of the edge portions 3. and 2, as best shown in Figure 3 which illustrates the manner of feeding the two strips 2 and 3. This gives in the tube a stifiening rib or thickened portion which extends helically along and around the tube as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the adjacent edges of the two overlying strips being indicated in the form of four parallel helical lines running along and around the tube as shown in Figure 1. The outer and lower line indicating the exposed edge of the overlap 3' is shown at 4' and the opposite edge is shownat 4, the intervening edges of the strips 3 and 2, where they occur within the joint being indicated by reference characters 5' and 5".

It'will be noted that the outside of the tube,

the strip 2 overlies the strip 3 in Figure 3. 11118 is due to the fact that in the machine shown the strips are fed to the under side of the mandrel bringing the. top strip 2 on the inside in rolling or winding the tube.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of tube made of a plurality of layers, the tube walls being of uniform thickness, the edges of the strips being abutted together as shown in Figure 5. The tube shown in Figure 4 is indicated by reference character 8, the arrangement of the the mandrel to be hereinafter described, being shown in Figure 6. The strip which is on top in Figure 6 indicated by reference character 9, is fed next to the mandrel, and is therefore on the inside of the finished tube, the strip HI which is beneath in Figure 6 forming the outside surface of the finished tube. The strips are in each instance fed to the under side of the mandrel from the side toward the observer. and turned around the mandrel in clockwise direction as hereinafter described.

In the construction shown in Figure 44, the overlap of the successive turns of the helix is equal to the offset of the overlying multiple strips 9 and Ill, as shown in Figure 6, and is fed to the mandrel, the strips being preferably fed together. The free edge portion of the offset of strip II! in Figure 6 is indicated by reference character Ill and the free edge or overlap of the strip 9 on the other side by reference character 3', the extreme edgesof these free edge portions on one side being" indioated by reference character 9" and III",

respectively, and the offset edges by 9" and V.

- other side of the strip, and the edge In" of the outside strip in abuts the free edge III' in the corresponding manner so that what have been termed the free edge portions 9' and ID of the multiple strips 9, l0 overlap and register as shown edges and Ill' are shown in full lines in Figure 4, the edges 9" 1 and 9' on the inside-being indicated by a dotted ing would be provided on the same source as the tory for use line parallel to the full line. Both lines extend along and around the tube in the form of a helix. The tube constructed in accordance with Figures 4, 5 'and 6,. has some advantages over the previous construction because of the smooth, continuous flat inner and outersurfaceathe joints at Q", If! a d In), In!!! heating the tube, and while this tube does not have the full advantages of the reinforcing feature of the type previously described; it is of-increased stifiness and resistive qualities as com? pared to a tube made of a single thickness and is cheaper because of the extra expense of a sheet cellulose of sufiicient thickness to be used in make ing a single layer tube. The waste product from the sheet cellulose used in wrapping is of a satisfactory thickness for the construction of multiple layer tubes as described.

While it is not essential to the production of a commercial tube, provision may be made for spraying the tube with cellulose esters or similar drying solution, whereby a hard lustrous coatthe outer surfaces of the tube. While the heating step is of great advantage, producing a tube of more satisfactory and permanent construction at a much lower cost.

It is of interest that when self adhesive material is used and the tube is sealed by this means, the tube shrinks in diameter in heating and the shrinkage of the tube together with the self adhesiveness of the material which results from heating has the effect of joining tightly together by welding or sticking, both the overlapping edges of the successive turns of the helix and the overlying strips of materia The'material of which the tube of theinvention is composed must be distinguished from pure cellulose which is white and amorphous and absorbent, being used for filter papers but not being adapted to applicant's which is objectionable. applicant's tubes are made are obtainable from -cellophane wrapping-s The sheets referred to as satisfacin this way areof cellulose compounds, also referred to herein for convenience as cellulose materials or derivatives, the chemical terms not being necessary to identify them as now in use.

absorbent, moistureproof, resilient and tough, as well as transparent and insoluble in practically all beverages, part only of these materials, particularly the material referred to in the trade as regenerated cellophane, are self adhesive when heated, this property of the material being essential only in the preferred form of the tube.

on the outside of the tube being completely closed by posed of two parafiln or the equivalent, The materialsof which fore its shape indefinitely even periods in any of the when immersed liquids used as I have thus described specifically the tube of my'invention, the description being specific and in detail in order that the manner of constructing, applying, operating and using the invention may be fully understood, however, terms herein are used in a descriptive rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters .Patent is:

and sealed by the self adhesive properties of the material.

2. A tube adapted for use as a drinking straw composed solely of transparent sheet cellulose material, which is self adhesive when heated, the tube being composed of a plurality of overlapping strips of the said sheet material wound in the form of a helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped and sealed by the self adhesive properties of the material, the overlying strips being ofi'set as to their edges.

3. A tube adapted for use as a drinking straw composed solely of sheet cellulose material which is self adhesive when heated, the tube being comoverlying strips of the said sheet wound in the form of a helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix overlapping and sealed by the self adhesive properties of the material, the overlying strips ofgmaterial being ofl'set as to their edges by a margin equal to'the overlap of the consecutive turns of the helix, thus forming a tube wall of uniform thickness.

4. A tube adapted for use as a drinking straw composed solely of transparent sheet cellulose material which is self adhesive when tube being composed of a plurality of overlying strips of the said sheet material of the standard material "thickness of wrapping sheets wound in the form adjacent edges of the V hesive properties of the material. The tube of the invention is substantially trans- It is also resilient and possessed of a heated, the

helix overlapped and 4- 2,oss,ao4

like comprising a smooth, hard, non-fibrous, reposed of transparent sheet cellulosematerial silient, thin transparent sheet, material in strip which is substantially moistureproof, and nonform and homogeneous throughout, of non-ababsorbent, hard and resilient, the same being in sorbent cellulose derivative, said strip material strip form, the strip material being arranged in .5 being helically arranged and the adjacent edges the form'of a helix and having the adjacent edges of consecutive turns of the helix being overof the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped lapped and sealed. and sealed.

7. A tube for use as a drinking straw com- OTTO W. DIEFFENBACH.

CERTIFICATE or connsc'rron.

Patent No. 2,035,304. March 24, 1955.

o'rro w. DIEFFENBACH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page .2, first column, line 3'6, strike out the word "esters"; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of June, A. D. 1936.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Q Acting Commissioner of Patents.

- 4- 2,oss,ao4

like comprising a smooth, hard, non-fibrous, reposed of transparent sheet cellulosematerial silient, thin transparent sheet, material in strip which is substantially moistureproof, and nonform and homogeneous throughout, of non-ababsorbent, hard and resilient, the same being in sorbent cellulose derivative, said strip material strip form, the strip material being arranged in .5 being helically arranged and the adjacent edges the form'of a helix and having the adjacent edges of consecutive turns of the helix being overof the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped lapped and sealed. and sealed.

7. A tube for use as a drinking straw com- OTTO W. DIEFFENBACH.

CERTIFICATE or connsc'rron.

Patent No. 2,035,304. March 24, 1955.

o'rro w. DIEFFENBACH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page .2, first column, line 3'6, strike out the word "esters"; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of June, A. D. 1936.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Q Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

